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“Every match is important for us. Even last match was also important despite us already qualifying for the final. Now we want learn from our mistakes in the last game. The start is always important. Whether it is batting or bowling we need a good start. As a batting unit we need to score enough runs so that bowlers can feel comfortable while defending and vice versa. So starting phase is crucial,” he added. Bangladesh won the first game against the Lankans in the group stage by a huge margin of 163 runs, their biggest ever victory in ODIs. But in their second encounter, Bangladesh were bowled out for just 82 to suffer a heavy defeat. The Lankans have turned around strongly after losing one match each against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe and are in good shape heading into the final. Mashrafe said they are fully aware about the ability of Sri Lanka, who are missing regular skipper Angelo Mathews due to injury.
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“Sri Lanka are much more stronger than Zimbabwe as their cricket history and records have more success. We knew that Sri Lanka can bounce back. They have some quality players in their squad who even played in the World Cup final. So obviously they are a dangerous team. In our first three matches we were able to play according to the condition. We utilised our home condition properly. But in the fourth game we failed to do so. So will try to use the condition and play accordingly again in the final,” Mashrafe explained. Bangladesh have included opener Imrul Kayes in the last moment before the final. Right-hander Anamul Haque, the new opening partner of the in-form Tamim Iqbal in this series, has scored 55 runs in four innings but Mashrafe informed that Anamul is still very much in their plans. “Imrul has been included. That does not mean he will definitely play. Anamul has played four games in that position with Tamim. Definitely he wanted to contribute more for the team from that position. Unfortunately it did not happen. We have Imrul and Mohammad Mithun in the squad. But that does not mean we are making plans without Anamul. Anamul is also in our plans for the final. Let’s see what happens,” concluded the 34-year old.